Home / Health / CDC's Traveler Program Hits 1 Million Milestone
CDC's Traveler Program Hits 1 Million Milestone
31 Jan
Summary
- CDC's travel bio surveillance program now includes over 1 million participants.
- The program anonymously collects samples from international travelers at airports.
- It aids in early detection of emerging pathogens and variants before widespread spread.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced a significant achievement, surpassing one million participants in its Traveler-Based Genomic Surveillance (TGS) program. This initiative, established in 2021, is designed to detect and respond to public health threats at U.S. borders.
The voluntary and anonymous program collects samples from international travelers arriving at eight key U.S. airports, including Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, New York City, Newark, Washington D.C., and Miami. These samples, which can include nasal swabs and wastewater, are analyzed for emerging pathogens and variants.
The TGS program aims to provide early insights into diseases, such as new variants of influenza and COVID-19. For instance, it reportedly identified specific influenza H3N2 subclade K seven days before its public sequencing. Beyond traveler samples, the CDC has also analyzed over 2,600 airplane wastewater samples.
This robust surveillance network strengthens national biosecurity and the U.S.'s capacity to act swiftly against infectious diseases. The CDC emphasizes that such domestic capabilities are vital for maintaining global leadership in public health and rapid response to health emergencies.
